Nairobi doctors to return to work after court halts 45-day strike

KMPDU Nairobi Branch Secretary Malindi Chao speaking on February 1, 20206 / HANDOUT 

Public health services in Nairobi are set to resume on Monday after doctors suspended a 45-day strike in compliance with a court order, offering temporary relief to thousands of patients affected by the prolonged industrial action.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nairobi Branch said all doctors working in Nairobi City County health facilities have been directed to report back to duty on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 8 am, following a ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

The strike, which paralysed services in public hospitals and clinics across the capital, was triggered by claims of persistent failure by the Nairobi City County Government to address long-standing labour and welfare issues.

Among the grievances cited are the lack of comprehensive medical insurance for doctors, delayed and stagnated promotions, non-payment of gratuity to former Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) staff, outstanding salary arrears and the non-implementation of the 2025 Return-to-Work Formula.

KMPDU, however, emphasised that the suspension is temporary and does not amount to a settlement of the dispute.

The union said the strike has been suspended for 30 days to allow room for final negotiations while complying with the court directive.

“We are law-abiding professionals and, in respect of the court’s direction, we are returning to serve the residents of Nairobi. But the 45 days of inaction by the county administration have left our members frustrated,” KMPDU Nairobi Branch Secretary Malindi Chao said.

He said that doctors could resume industrial action if the county government fails to resolve the outstanding issues within the 30-day window.

“If the county does not use this period to address the health insurance gaps and promotion arrears, we will have no option but to resume the strike once the notice expires,” he said.

The union has urged the Nairobi City County Government to engage in good-faith talks to avert further disruption, warning that failure to act could trigger another shutdown of public health services.

The strike, which began in mid-December with doctors and later included clinical officers, disrupted services in some public health facilities across the capital.

Speaking on January 17, Health CEC Suzanne Silantoi said the county had rolled out comprehensive medical cover for health workers under the SHA Civil Servants Scheme, advanced promotions across common cadre job groups, and allocated a Sh424 million supplementary budget to clear pending promotion-related arrears.

She added that employment terms within the health sector had been stabilized, with more than 98 per cent of healthcare workers now serving on permanent and pensionable terms.